Medical Careers & Professional Terminology

gastroenterologist: a physician specializing in diseases of the digestive system, including esophagus, stomach, and intestines

hepatologist: a physician specializing in diseases of the liver

proctologist: a physician specializing in diseases of the rectum and anus

Imaging and Diagnostic Techniques/Procedures for the Organ System

abdominal sonography: using sound waves to visualize the abdominal cavity

barium enema/lower gastrointestinal series: procedure in which barium is introduced rectally and x-rays are taken to visually examine the lower GI tract

cholangiogram: visual record of the bile ducts

cholangiography: process of obtaining visual record of the bile ducts

CT colonography: visual record of the colon obtained through computed tomography

colonoscope: instrument used to visually examine the colon

colonoscopy: process of visually examining the colon

endoscope: instrument used to visually examine a hollow body organ/structure

endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: procedure in which contrast media is introduced into the biliary and pancreatic ducts to detect liver, gallbladder, or pancreatic disease

endoscopic ultrasound: using sound waves to probe the GI tract for tumors or cystic growths

endoscopy: process of visually examining a hollow body organ/structure

esophagogastroduodenoscopy: process of visually examining the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum

esophagogram: visual record of the esophagus

esophagoscopy: process of visually examining the esophagus

fecal occult blood test: test that detects hidden or invisible blood in the feces

gastroscope: instrument used to visually examine the stomach

gastroscopy: process of visually examining the stomach

Helicobacter pylori antibodies test: detects the presence of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, which may cause ulcers

laparoscope: instrument used to visually examine the abdomen

laparoscopy: process of visually examining the abdomen

proctoscope: instrument used to visually examine the rectum

proctoscopy: process of visually examining the rectum

sigmoidoscope: instrument used to visually examine the sigmoid colon

sigmoidoscopy: process of visually examining the sigmoid colon

stool culture: microscopic examination and laboratory tests performed on feces

upper gastrointestinal series: procedure in which barium is introduced orally and X-rays are taken to visually examine the upper GI tract

Medical and Surgical Techniques/Procedures Used for the Organ System

abdominocentesis: removing fluid from the abdominal cavity for testing

abdominoplasty: surgical repair of the abdomen

anastomosis: joining together of two

anoplasty: surgical repair of the anus

antrectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the pyloric antrum of the stomach

appendectomy: surgical removal of the vermiform appendix

bariatric surgery: surgery that temporarily or permanently reduces the size of the stomach to reduce appetite and cause weight loss

celiotomy: surgical incision into the abdomen

cheiloplasty: surgical repair of a lip

cheilorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of a lip

cholecystectomy: surgical removal of the gallbladder

choledocholithotomy: incision to remove gallstones from the common bile duct

cholelithotripsy: removal of gallstones through sound waves

colectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the colon

colostomy: creation of a stoma between the colon and the outside of the body

diverticulectomy: surgical removal of one or more diverticula

enterorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of an intestine

gastrectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the stomach

gastric lavage: washing of the stomach to remove contents

gastroplasty: surgical repair of the stomach

gastrostomy: creation of a stoma between the stomach and the outside of the body

gastrojejunostomy: creation of a stoma between the stomach and the jejunum

gavage: feeding by means of a tube leading to the stomach

gingivectomy: surgical removal of all or part of a gum

glossorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of the tongue

hemicolectomy: surgical removal of part of the colon

hemorrhoidectomy: surgical removal of one or more hemorrhoids

herniorrhaphy: surgical suturing/repair of a hernia

ileostomy: creation of a stoma between the ileum and the outside of the body

laparotomy: surgical incision into the abdomen

palatoplasty: surgical repair of the palate

percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: creation of a stoma between the stomach and the outside of the body in which a tube is inserted for feeding purposes

polypectomy: surgical removal of one or more polyps

pyloromyotomy: surgical incision into the muscle of the pylorus of the stomach

pyloroplasty: surgical repair of the pylorus of the stomach

uvulectomy: surgical removal of all or part of the uvula

uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: surgical repair of the uvula, palate, and pharynx, usually done to correct snoring / sleep apnea

vagotomy: surgical incision of the vagus nerve, done to reduce acid production in the stomach

Abbreviations Commonly Used with the Organ System

APR: abdominoperineal resection

BE: barium enema

EGD: esophagogastroduodenoscopy

ERCP: endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

EUS: endoscopic ultrasound

FOBT: fecal occult blood test

GERD: gastroesophageal reflux disease

GI: gastrointestinal

H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori

IBS: irritable bowel syndrome

N&V: nausea and vomiting

PEG: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

UC: ulcerative colitis

UGI: upper gastrointestinal

UPPP: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty

Medical Terms Practice

For each card, click the speaker icon to hear the correct pronunciation of the listed term. Practice saying the term to yourself, then attempt to define the term from memory. Click “Turn” to flip the card and see the definition. Use the right and left arrows to toggle through the cards in each set.